DALLAS (SMU) - The SMU women's basketball team used smothering defense and five second-half three-point field goals to pull away for a 25-point victory over regional rival UTA by the score of 65-40 Saturday evening at Moody Coliseum on the campus of SMU. With the win, SMU improves to 6-1 while the Lady Mavs fall to 4-3 on the season.

In the first half, SMU came out smokin' hot, hitting nearly 86% of its shots and quickly building a nine-point lead five minutes into the game. But the Lady Mavs chipped away at the lead with second and third chances at missed shots. UTA pulled down 15 offensive rebounds in the first half and doubled SMU's rebound total (25-10) after the first 20 minutes of the game. SMU went into intermission with a seven-point lead, 30-23.

In the second half, SMU stepped up its defensive pressure and made its presence felt on the defensive boards, limiting the Lady Mavs to only 10 offensive boards. UTA struggled from the field, hitting only 18.8% from the field in the second half. SMU's shooting also cooled off but hit the critical buckets at critical times, including five three-point baskets. SMU's defense held the Lady Mavs scoreless in the last 4:02 of the game.

SMU's Sharee Shepherd posted a career-high 17 points in 24 minutes of play, going 6-of-7 from the field and 2-of-2 from three-point range. Freshman post Janielle Dodds collected her third double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Sarah Davis added 11 points, six rebounds, and three blocks in the Mustang win. Top scorer for UTA was Ashley Bobb and Terra Wallace with eight points each. Rola Ogunoye hauled down 13 rebounds for the Lady Mavs.

SMU continues non-conference play with the Wells Fargo Denver Classic next Saturday and Sunday. SMU takes on UTSA Saturday at 1:00 p.m. CT and either Tennessee-Martin or host Denver Sunday afternoon.

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